FeedOhio campaign extends through Sept. 11

A campaign to assist food banks throughout Ohio will continue through Sept. 11.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a proclamation Aug. 14 endorsing FeedOhio, an initiative by faith-based and community groups throughout the state to raise money and collect nonperishable food items for Ohio food banks.

The first such food drive, which also is supported by Ohio first lady Karen Kasich and the Ohio Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, kicked off Aug. 24 and extends through Sept. 11, a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

"With more than one in four children in Ohio struggling with food insecurity, this is an issue that resonates deeply with me," Karen Kasich said in a press statement.

"I am proud to be a part of this community-led effort to help individuals and families struggling with hunger."

Throughout the campaign, volunteers from faith and community groups have gone door-to-door in neighborhoods across the Buckeye State to deliver information about Ohio's hunger issues and ways in which people can help.

The volunteers also are asking people to visit www.ohiofoodbanks.org/feedohio to make financial contributions or learn where they can drop off food donations.

"This year, we thought we would partner with Ohio food banks and try to support them," said Dr. D. Bradley Welling, an Upper Arlington resident who is also president of the Ohio Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and an organizer of FeedOhio.

"We have 12 regional distribution centers and they supply over 33,000 local food banks throughout the state," Welling said.

He said partnerships with Ohio farmers and grants from the federal government and other sources allow regional food banks such as the Grove City-based Mid-Ohio Foodbank to provide four meals for every $1 donated by the public.

Therefore, FeedOhio seeks both food donations at local levels and online financial contributions.

"It's very efficient if you just want to go online and make donations," Welling said "Even small donations help.

"We are getting a good response and we hope it will be great. Our church's philosophy is we want to help people be independent and be able to make them self-sufficient so they can help others."